The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is forming a Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee to advise the EPA administrator on environmental policy issues affecting farms, ranches and rural communities.

The committee's membership will include large and small farmers, ranchers and rural communities; rural suppliers, marketers and processors; academics and researchers who study environmental issues impacting ag; tribal ag groups; and environmental and conservation groups.

EPA wants the committee to focus on:

• How EPA's policies and regulations on climate change and renewable energy will affect the agriculture community.

• An environmental strategy for livestock operations that considers regulatory and voluntary approaches and provides tools for producers to attain superior environmental performance.

• Development of a constructive approach to advancing sustainable agriculture and protection of the environment.